PARLIAMENTARY.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIV, Issue 284, 11 December 1879, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

HOUSE. Wellington, Wednesday night. Tbe report of the Native Affairs Committee on tbe petition of George Driver of Napier affecting the character of Mr Sutton of that diatrict was read. The petition requested that all pereons guilty of fraud might be prosecuted, and tbe Committee, after examining witnesses at great length, passed a resolution to the effect that they could not recommend the House to take any action. Sir G. Grey spoke at some length urging that the report be referred back to the Committee. In the course of the debate it transpired the Committee had laßted a month and had cost £600. Sir G. Grey's amendment was negatived by 36 against 31. The report of the evidence was ordered to be printed. The second reading of the Otago Harbor Board Endowment Bill met with some opposition but it was carried. The Married Woman's Property Bill and Appeals from Justices Act, 1877, Amendment Bill was considered. Thursday. Business last night was mostly private. The Government sustained a defeat on the Charleston water-race. The Committee reported that a distinct promise had been made as to tbis work, and recommended that £11,000 be paid.— The Premier and other Government supporters resisted it strenuously, pointing out the amount of money already spent on water-races, and the fact that there was only one per cent return.— Mr McLean moved the adjournment of the debate which was lost by 34 to 27. The resolution was then put and agreed to. Considerable debate ensued upon the Taranaki Iron Smelting Works Bill, which ultimately passed the second reading. Thu Ciril liiat Act Amendment Bill was moved by Mr Shephard who aaid, though at the time when tbe Bill was originally passed, the salaries proposed might not have been excessive, now, aa retrenchment was so necessary, Ministers would not object to have their salaries reduced. He fully believed the occupants of the ministerial benches would agree, and he disavowed bringing this measure forward in any hostility to them. He would merely move that the Bill be read the second time. The Premier did not think the Civil Servants were over paid as a rule, at the came time he thought the cost of the Civil Service might be reduced, though not in the way proposed by the mover. He considered the Bill a direct slap in the face to the Government, and he hoped the House would not pass it. It had been intended at an early day to bring down proposals for the reduction of Ministers' salaries, and he hoped in the face of thia pledge that the Hon. member would withdraw his motion. After some debate the motion was negatived by 35 to 25. The Prevention of Corruption BUI was thrown out by 29 to 28. A number of private Bills were passed. The House continued sitting till 4*30 tbis morning, disposing of 22 Bills during that time, including several which were withdrawn. The following Bills passed :— Kawakawa Incorporation of Miners Act Amendment ; Auckland Unprovement Commiasion ; Forest Trees Planting: Wellington Provincial District Highway Board ; Palmerston North Reserves ; Maori Representation ; Riverton Drill Shed Reserve ; Wanganui Endowed Schools ; Alexandra Corporation Reserve ; Queensland Race Course Reserve ; Auckland College and Grammar School Reserve -, Hawkes Bay Rivers ; Seward Bash Railway Grant. Withdrawn : Municipal Corporation Act ; Licensing Laws Amendment ; Joint Stock Companies Act ; Auckland Turnpike • Widths of Street Bill. The House disagreed with the new clause introduced into the Miners Act by the Legislative Council. The House does not meet ti i 7.30 to-night. A number of Southern members leave for their homes by the Hinemoa on Monday.